Cooking chicken legs in an Instant Pot is a quick and easy way to make a delicious weeknight dinner. The pressurized environment helps infuse flavor into the meat while ensuring it remains moist and tender. But nailing the right cook time is key to getting perfect results. Undercook the chicken and it will be unsafe to eat. Overcook it and you’ll end up with dry stringy meat.
So how long should you set the Instant Pot to cook chicken legs? Here’s a complete guide to help you determine the ideal cook time for juicy, flavorful chicken legs every time
Instant Pot Chicken Leg Cook Times
The exact cooking time can vary slightly depending on the size and thickness of the chicken legs, as well as your particular Instant Pot model. But here are some general guidelines for fresh, bone-in chicken legs:
- Small chicken legs (around 1/2 inch thick): 8-10 minutes
- Medium chicken legs (around 1 inch thick): 10-12 minutes
- Large chicken legs (around 1 1/2 inches thick): 12-15 minutes
For bone-in thawed frozen chicken legs, add 2-3 minutes to the times above.
The times above are the cook times you’ll set on the Instant Pot. The total time will be a bit longer since you need to factor in the time it takes to come up to pressure (typically 10-15 minutes) and then release the pressure after cooking (around 10-15 minutes for a natural release).
So for a batch of medium-sized fresh chicken legs, the total time would be about:
- 10-15 minutes to build pressure
- 10-12 minutes cook time under pressure
- 10-15 minutes natural pressure release
- Total time: 30-42 minutes
Step-by-Step Instant Pot Chicken Legs
Cooking chicken legs in the Instant Pot takes just a few easy steps:
1. Add 1 cup liquid: The liquid creates steam to build pressure. Chicken broth adds great flavor but water works too.
2. Place trivet and chicken legs in pot: Use a trivet to elevate the chicken above the liquid. Arrange legs in a single layer on the trivet.
3. Lock lid and set to High Pressure: Make sure the vent is sealed. Set the manual/pressure cook button to high pressure for the recommended time based on your chicken leg size.
4. Allow natural pressure release: When cook time is complete, let the pressure release naturally for 10-15 minutes before manually venting.
5. Check internal temperature: Chicken should reach 165°F. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
6. Finish with broiler (optional): For crispy skin, broil chicken legs for 2-3 minutes.
And that’s it! With this simple process you’ll have tender, juicy chicken legs ready in under an hour.
Tips for the Best Instant Pot Chicken Legs
Here are a few tips to help ensure perfect chicken leg results:
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Use fresh, high quality chicken legs – Avoid pre-injected enhanced chicken which can lead to mushy texture.
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Season well – Chicken legs do well with assertive seasoning. Try garlic powder, paprika, oregano, etc.
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Sear first (optional) – Browning the chicken legs on saute mode first enhances flavor.
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Use broth for flavor – Chicken broth adds more flavor to the pot than water.
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Elevate legs on a trivet – Keeping the chicken above the liquid prevents sogginess.
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Allow for natural pressure release – This keeps the chicken moist and tender.
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Check doneness with meat thermometer – Chicken must reach 165°F. If undercooked, simmer and check again.
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Let chicken rest – Letting it rest 5-10 minutes allows juices to redistribute.
Troubleshooting Common Instant Pot Chicken Leg Problems
Even when you follow the recipe exactly, there can be some hiccups. Here’s how to troubleshoot some potential issues:
Undercooked chicken – If the internal temperature hasn’t reached 165°F, simmer uncovered for 5-10 more minutes until done.
Overcooked, dry chicken – Reduce cook time by 2-3 minutes next batch. And allow for natural pressure release rather than quick release.
Not enough flavor – Use chicken broth instead of water for cooking liquid. Season aggressively before cooking.
Chicken legs stuck to pot bottom – Always use a trivet or steamer basket to elevate chicken legs off the pot bottom.
Burn notice – Make sure pot is deglazed completely after searing chicken legs before pressure cooking.
Tips for Cooking Frozen Chicken Legs in Instant Pot
You can absolutely cook frozen chicken legs straight from the freezer in your Instant Pot. Here’s how:
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Increase cook time by 2-3 minutes from fresh chicken leg recipe
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Use trivet and arrange chicken in a single layer without stacking
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Add 1 extra cup of cooking liquid
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Allow for full natural pressure release for 10-15 minutes
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Check internal temperature and simmer if needed until chicken reaches 165°F
Cooking from frozen only adds a few extra minutes to the total time, making this an easy Instant Pot dinner even on busy nights.
Infuse Your Chicken Legs with Flavor
One benefit of Instant Pot cooking is it allows you to infuse chicken legs with big, bold flavors. Try these ideas:
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Marinades – Marinate chicken legs 1-24 hours before cooking.
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Spice rubs – Rub chicken legs with Cajun, jerk, bbq or other robust seasonings.
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Herbs and aromatics – Add fresh herbs, garlic, chili, citrus zest, etc.
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Sauces – Deglaze pot with wine, vinegar, soy sauce, etc. after searing.
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Broths and cooking liquids – Use broth, juice, wine or other flavorful liquids.
Get creative with the flavor combinations! The pressurized environment really drives those flavors deep into the meat.
Recipes and Variations for Instant Pot Chicken Legs
Once you’ve nailed the basic recipe, try these fun ways to prepare chicken legs in the Instant Pot:
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Honey garlic – Toss legs in a honey garlic marinade before cooking.
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Jerk chicken – Use a Caribbean jerk seasoning blend on the chicken.
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Buffalo chicken – Toss cooked chicken legs in buffalo sauce.
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Balsamic chicken – Add balsamic vinegar to the cooking liquid.
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Chicken adobo – Use soy sauce, vinegar, garlic and peppercorns.
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BBQ chicken – Finish legs with bbq sauce on the stovetop or under the broiler.
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Lemon garlic chicken – Season with lemon, garlic, oregano and olive oil.
So get ready to make quick and delicious Instant Pot chicken leg dinners your family will request again and again!
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Main Menu (6/3 LAUNCH)
Course: Main Dishes
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 25 min
Total Time: 15-30 min
Cooking Technique: Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven
Cuisine: American
Diet: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Keto, Low Carb, Paleo
Yield: 4-6 servings
- 2-2.5 lbs. chicken drumsticks
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper, ground
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp. cumin, ground
- In a large bowl, drizzle drumsticks with olive oil and toss to coat.
- In a small bowl, stir together the remaining ingredients, then sprinkle over drumsticks and toss to coat evenly.
- Divide the coated chicken onto the cooking trays.
- Place the drip pan in the bottom of the cooking chamber. Using the display panel, select Air Fry, then adjust the temperature to 400°F / 204°C and the time to 25 minutes, then touch Start.
- When the display indicates “Add Food” insert one cooking tray in the top-most position and one tray in the bottom-most position.
- When the display indicates “Turn Food” turn the food over AND switch the cooking trays so that the one that was in the top-most position is now in the bottom-most position, and vice-versa.
- When the Air Fry program is complete, check to make sure the thickest portion of the meat reads at least 165°F / 74°C. Remove and serve hot.
Chop Secrets is a culinary platform that focuses on recipe development, offering a wide variety of accessible and time-saving meal ideas. The site is a go-to destination for home cooks looking for delicious recipes that are simple to follow. Known for its collaborations with Instant Pot, Chop Secrets has produced over 250 recipe videos, providing users with step-by-step guides to make cooking easier and more enjoyable. With a range of recipes spanning from appetizers to desserts, Chop Secrets helps both beginners and seasoned cooks explore the versatility of their kitchen tools. The platform also offers a popular Instant Pot Master Class, which teaches essential techniques for mastering this appliance through cook-along lessons and printable resources, helping people create flavorful meals with minimal effort.
Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks – How To Cook Chicken Legs In Instant Pot – Easy Chicken Dinner!
FAQ
How do I cook chicken drumsticks in my Instant Pot?
Place drumsticks into a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®) and pour sauce on top. Close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to manufacturer’s instructions; set timer for 15 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.
How much time to cook chicken in the Instant Pot?
Set to HIGH pressure for 10 minutes. For fresh chicken, it will take about 10 minutes to come to pressure. Expect frozen chicken to take 12 to 15 minutes to come up to pressure. Quick release the pressure, remove, and serve or use for future use.
How long does it take for chicken legs to cook in a pot?
Once all the browned bits are scraped up, add the chicken legs and any chicken juices in the bowl. Lock the lid and pressure cook on high pressure for 30 minutes in an Instant Pot or other electric pressure cooker or for 25 minutes in a stovetop PC.
How long to pressure can chicken legs?
Place jars in ready pressure canner. Proceed per canner instructions. Process pints for 65 minutes and quarts for 75 minutes. After pressure canner is “done”, remove jars to a towel lined table or countertop, away from drafts.